When you need the same database content to appear in multiple locations without duplicating data, a linked database view is the solution. A linked view displays a copy of a source database that stays synced in real time. Any change made in the source or in any linked view updates everywhere instantly. This article explains what a linked database view is and how to create one from a source database in your Notion workspace.
Key Takeaways: Creating a Linked Database View
- Type /linked in a blank line: Opens the linked view creation menu without leaving your page.
- Select the source database name: Picks the exact database you want to display in the new location.
- Add a new view via the + tab: Lets you switch between table, board, calendar, list, gallery, or timeline without affecting the source.
What a Linked Database View Does and When to Use It
A linked database view is a live window into a source database. The source database is the original database you created — it holds all the actual rows and columns. The linked view is a copy of that data that appears on a different page. Both the source and all linked views share the same underlying data. If you edit a property in the source, the change appears in every linked view within seconds. If you edit a property inside a linked view, the source updates too.
Use a linked view when you want to surface the same information in multiple contexts. For example, place a filtered list of upcoming tasks on a team dashboard while keeping the full project database on a separate page. You can also apply different views to the same linked source — a calendar view on one page and a board view on another — without altering the source database structure.
Prerequisites
Before you create a linked view, you need an existing Notion database. The database can be a full-page database or an inline database. You also need edit permissions for the page where you will insert the linked view. If the source database is located in a different workspace, you cannot create a linked view across workspaces.
Steps to Create a Linked Database View From a Source
The process requires two main actions: insert the linked view block and then select the source database. Follow the steps below exactly.
- Navigate to the destination page
Open the page where you want the linked view to appear. This can be any page in the same workspace where the source database exists. - Create a blank line and type /linked
Click on an empty line in the page body. Type a forward slash followed by the wordlinked. A dropdown menu appears with the option “Linked view of database.” Press Enter to select it. - Select the source database
In the pop-up window, type the name of the source database. Notion shows matching databases from your workspace. Click the correct database name. The linked view appears immediately on your page. - Choose the initial view type
By default, the linked view uses the same view type as the source. To change it, click the view name above the database (the tab next to the database title). Select a different view type from the dropdown — table, board, calendar, list, gallery, or timeline. - Apply filters or sorts (optional)
Click the filter icon next to the view name. Add filter rules to show only specific rows. Click the sort icon to order rows by a property. These adjustments affect only this linked view and do not change the source database.
Alternative Method: Duplicate an Existing Linked View
If you already have a linked view on one page and want a second one elsewhere, you can duplicate the block instead of going through the /linked menu again.
- Hover over the existing linked view
Move your cursor to the left edge of the linked view block. The six-dot handle icon appears. - Drag or copy the block
Click the handle and drag the block to a new location on the same page. To copy it to a different page, click the handle, select Duplicate from the menu, then paste the copied block into the target page. - Confirm the link
The duplicated block remains linked to the same source database. You do not need to reselect the source.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Using Linked Views
Linked View Shows Wrong Data or Empty Database
This happens when you select the wrong source database during creation. To fix it, click the database title at the top of the linked view. Select a different source from the dropdown. If no other databases appear, the source may be in a different workspace or you may lack permissions.
Cannot Add New Rows Inside a Linked View
By default, any linked view allows adding new rows. If the + New button is missing, the source database may have restricted permissions. Check that your user role includes “Can edit” for the source database. Also confirm that the view itself is not a read-only view type — all view types support row creation.
Linked View Lags Behind the Source
Notion syncs linked views in near real time. If you see stale data, refresh the page by pressing F5 or Ctrl+R. If the issue persists, the source database may be in a workspace with slow internet connectivity. Linked views do not sync across different Notion accounts or workspaces.
Linked View Shows Too Many or Too Few Rows
Filters applied to the linked view override the source view. Check the filter icon above the database. Remove any filters that are hiding rows. Also check the sort order — sorts do not hide rows but can make rows appear missing if they are pushed to the bottom of a long list.
Linked Database View vs Duplicate Database: Key Differences
| Item | Linked Database View | Duplicate Database |
|---|---|---|
| Data sync | Real-time, bidirectional | Static snapshot only at time of copy |
| Storage impact | No extra storage — references the same data | Uses additional workspace storage for every copy |
| View customization | Filters, sorts, and view types are independent per linked view | Each duplicate has its own independent views |
| Permissions | Inherits permissions from the source database | Each duplicate has separate permissions |
| Use case | Showing the same data in multiple places | Creating a separate dataset that can diverge |
You can now create a linked database view from any source in your Notion workspace. Use the /linked command to insert the block and select the correct database. Apply filters and sorts to tailor each linked view for its specific page without altering the source. For advanced workflows, try creating multiple linked views of the same source with different view types — for example, a calendar view for deadlines on a team page and a gallery view for visual assets on a design page.